The Toyota Camry Hybrid got the same upgrades as the gasoline-only Camry sedan with last year’s redesign. This is the midlevel SE model, which comes with a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. EPA ratings are 44 mpg city/47 highway/46 combined.

By G. CHAMBERS WILLIAMS III

The eighth generation of Toyota’s top-selling Camry sedan arrived for 2018, and as before, it comes in regular gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid versions, both sporting a dramatic new exterior, an all-new chassis and plenty of new and improved safety and connectivity technology.

This is a departure for the Camry: Toyota went all out to create what it says is the best Camry ever built, with the striking exterior styling as the biggest surprise. This new, lower, sleeker Camry is bolder and more eye-catching ever, finally doing away with the typical boring exterior that had been the hallmark of the Camry.

Toyota’s California studio gave the Camry a crisp, sculpted look that eliminates the smooth-flowing contours of Camrys of the past. The goal was to give the Camry an edgy new look to help it retain its leadership in the midsize sedan class, and its position as the best-selling car overall in America for more than 15 years.

The changes were necessary, as the Camry’s main competitor, the Honda Accord, also got a complete makeover for 2018 with compelling new styling. That’s something consumers these days are looking for, especially the millennials who are now the main target market of automakers such as Toyota.

Camry Hybrid models for 2019 start at $28,150 (plus $920 freight) for the entry LE version, and top out at $32,725 for the XLE. In between is the SE ($29,850).

Our tester for this report was the 2018 SE Hybrid model ($29,500). There are no major changes reported for 2019, but the base price for this trim level increased by $350 for 2019.

The test vehicle came with the Galactic Aqua Mica exterior paint, which is teal. It had an ash-colored interior with “sport fabric” SofTex upholstery.

The redesigned Toyota Camry comes in gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid versions. This is the cockpit of the XLE Hybrid model. The Camry seats up to five people comfortably, and has a host of new standard safety technology, including radar cruise control.

Gasoline-only models come with either the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or the optional 3.5-liter V-6.

Hybrids get the newest Toyota Hybrid System, including a continuously variable automatic transmission, 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors (only one used in the actual drive system). It has a total 208 horsepower combined. The hybrids come with the special electronic CVT with sequential shift mode to simulate a fix-gear automatic.

EPA estimates for the hybrid are 51 city/53 highway/52 combined on the LE model, a 30 percent increase for combined mpg; and 44/47/46 on the SE and XLE models, up 21 percent in combined mpg from the last generation. During our weeklong test in the SE Hybrid, we averaged about 45 mpg with a mix of about 50/50 city/highway driving.

In the gasoline-only models, the new 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine is connected to a direct-shift eight-speed automatic transmission; the hybrids have a separate version of this engine. In the gasoline models, this engine is rated at 203 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque in all but the XSE model, which is 206 horsepower and 186 foot-pounds of torque. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 28 mpg city/39 highway/32 combined.

The optional 3.5-liter V-6 for the gasoline models also comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Ratings are 301 horsepower and 267 foot-pounds of torque. EPA mileage estimates are 22 city/33 highway/26 combined.

To create more cargo space, the hybrid battery pack has been moved from the trunk area to beneath the rear seat, giving it a lower center of gravity. There is a lithium-ion battery pack on the LE grade, and a nickel-metal-hydride battery on SE and XLE versions, which apparently brings the lower fuel economy for those models.

Drive modes for the hybrid include Normal, Eco, EV and a new Sport setting that allows for increased acceleration.

Toyota says this newest generation of the Camry is built on its so-called “New Global Architecture.” At the front is a new two-piece grille, built into the slightly lower aluminum hood. Overall height was reduced one inch from the 2017 model, and there is a lower roofline, but no with loss of any interior space.

The sporty-looking SE and XSE trim levels have slightly different body styling from that of the entry level L and LE, and the premium XLE grades. That includes sculpted rocker panels; new 19-inch black machined-finish alloy wheels (standard on XSE and optional on SE); a rear spoiler; a different, more-aggressive front bumper; and a rear bumper with a lower diffuser.

XSE models also offer a Midnight Black Metallic roof option with a choice of the Blue Streak Metallic, Celestial Silver, or Wind Chill Pearl body color. No news has been released yet about any new or discontinued color choices for the 2019 Camry.

Interior choices include Ash, Macadamia and Black, along with Cockpit Red available only on the XSE.

The cabin was redesigned for comfort and functionality, including an all-new dashboard, and all interior surfaces use high-grade soft-touch premium materials. There is a mix of tones and hues throughout the cockpit to help avoid a monotone look.

Five people can ride in comfort, and all seats have improved ergonomics. For aesthetics, there is stitching on the front and rear seats.

All Camry models have the standard Toyota Safety Sense suite of systems and technologies helping to make progress towards Toyota’s goal of “zero casualties from accidents.”

Included on every model are a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Automatic High Beams.

Toyota has moved beyond its little cruise control stalk that sticks out from the lower right side of the steering column on most Toyota and Lexus vehicles for the past decade or longer. On the new Camry, the controls for the radar cruise system are on the lower right front of the steering wheel.

Included on our SE Hybrid was the optional Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert ($600). Optional is Intelligent Clearance Sonar with a new Rear Cross Traffic Braking system.

Also available, but not included on our vehicle, is the Driver Assist Package ($1,675), which brings a 10-inch head-up display, a rearview camera and a bird’s-eye view camera system that shows side by side with the rear view on the center dash audio screen.

We did have the power tilt-and-slide moon roof ($900) and the Entune Audio Package ($1,800), which added the Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with JBL sound, Clari-Fi, connected navigation and App Suite, and Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging.

The only other option on our tester was the Convenience Package ($325), which added a universal garage/gate opener and self-dimming rearview mirror with compass.

V-6 models offer the new Dynamic Navigation system with improved map accuracy. Wireless map updates provide over-the-air map downloads of recently added roads and points of interest not included in the existing head unit.

Available is a JBL premium audio system that features Sound Staging, which positions speakers directly in front of the listener to produce sound like that of a live concert.

The trunk is a roomy 15.1 cubic feet in the hybrid and in all gasoline models but the entry L model, which has 14.1 cubic feet. There is plenty of space for luggage, groceries and gear, and the trunk opening is large and unobstructed.

The ride was comfortable and relatively quiet at highway speeds, although not as quiet as some competing sedans I’ve tested recently. Our hybrid drive system provided plenty of power, especially on startup, thanks to the extra torque from the electric drive motor.

The dual-zone automatic climate control held the cabin temperature right where we set it, and it heated up quickly on some chilly mornings.

Total sticker price for our 2018 SE Hybrid was $33,300, including $895 freight and options. For 2019, the price, as equipped, would be $33,675.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3.

Highlights: The Camry was completely redesigned for 2018, both the gasoline-only and hybrid versions. The makeover gave the Camry a stylish new exterior appearance. There is also lots of new standard technology in the Camry, including radar cruise control on all models.